Game #6 Kent State (2-3, 1-0 MAC) vs. Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1 MAC) Saturday, October 10, 2009 • 3:30 p.m. EDT Dix Stadium (25,000/FieldTurf) • Kent, Ohio Radio: WNIR 100.1 FM (Tom Linder, Rob Polinsky & Ty Linder) Television: FSN Ohio/ESPN GamePlan (Jeff Phelps & Hanford Dixon) • Internet: K-Zone
The Opening Kick Having closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule last week, Kent State turns its full attention to the Mid-American Conference slate beginning with the Golden Flashes’ Centennial Homecoming game against Bowling Green Saturday.
KSU’s 77th meeting with the Falcons wraps up the Flashes’ stretch of playing four of the season’s first six games in the friendly confines of Dix Stadium. A victory over Bowling Green would move Kent State to 2-0 in the MAC for just the second time in the last 32 years (2006 & 1986).
Homecoming Festivities Kent State’s Centennial Homecoming unofficially begins Thursday night when alums — and current members of the Cleveland Browns — Joshua Cribbs and Abram Elam are slated to appear at Water Street Tavern as part of a special two-hour edition of Inside Kent State Sports. The festivities continue with the Homecoming Parade Saturday morning followed by the 3:30 kickoff against Bowling Green on Fox Sports Net Ohio. KSU will also honor its 1954 Refrigerator Bowl team during the game.
Flash Facts • True freshman Spencer Keith may have emerged as Kent State’s number one option at quarterback right now. In roughly 11 quarters of action, he has completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 587 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. • Sophomore Jacquise Terry has emerged as a more than competent replacement for Eugene Jarvis after rushing for 212 yards in the last two games. Impressively, he is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. • True freshman Tyshon Goode continues to lead the Flashes with 16 receptions for 168 yards. However, senior Jameson Konz is closing fast with 10 grabs for 153 yards and a team-best two touchdowns. • With a late pick Sept. 26 against Miami, junior free safety Brian Lainhart now has 10 interceptions in the last 12 games dating back to Oct. 4, 2008. His 12 career interceptions are tied for sixth in KSU annals. • Junior middle linebacker Cobrani Mixon continues to shine, leading the team with 46 tackles (26 solo) and ranking second with 5.5 TFL. His 9.2 tackles per game stands eighth in the MAC.
A Glance At The Series Kent State and Bowling Green are meeting for the 77th time since the series began in 1920 — KSU’s first season of football. The Falcons lead the all-time series by a 54-16-6 margin, including a 29-7-2 advantage in Kent. BGSU has won seven of the last eight meetings overall and four in a row at Dix Stadium.
Television The game will air live on Fox Sports Net Ohio, as part of ESPN’s national GamePlan package and on ESPN360.com. Jeff Phelps will call all the action while Hanford Dixon, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the Cleveland Browns, will handle the color analyst duties. The game will also air on K-Zone as part of the premium video subscription.
Radio For the third straight year, the excitement of Golden Flashes football can be found on flagship station WNIR 100.1 FM in Northeast Ohio as part of the Kent State ISP Sports Network. Now in his second year in the play-by-play role (and his 11th as part of the broadcast), Tom Linder is joined this year by new color analyst Rob Polinsky, while Ty Linder continues his fine work on the sidelines.
Web Site Live audio for all Kent State football game broadcasts, live video of select games and live stats are available via the K-Zone on the official athletic department web site (www.kentstatesports.com).
The Coaches • Doug Martin (Kentucky ‘85) is in his sixth season as a head coach, owning a 21-42 (.333) record at the helm of the Golden Flashes. He was promoted to head coach March 1, 2004, after serving as Kent State’s offensive coordinator in 2003. (For a complete Martin bio see page 13.) • Dave Clawson (Williams College ‘89) is 1-4 in his first season at the helm of Bowling Green and 59-53 in 10 years overall. He became the 17th head coach in the program’s history on Dec. 12, 2008. Twice named the Division I-AA Coach of the Year, Clawson was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee in 2008 after head coaching stints at Richmond and Fordham.
Up Next Kent State opens up a two-game road swing with a trip next Saturday (Oct. 17) to Eastern Michigan. The Flashes lead the all-time series by a slim 14-13 margin, although the Eagles have claimed eight of the 13 previous meetings in Ypsilanti. Meanwhile, Bowling Green travels to Ball State as the Falcons continue a stretch of four-of-five on the road.
Courtesy: Jason Miller
